Damien McElroy
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damienmcelroy.bsky.social
Damien McElroy
@damienmcelroy.bsky.social
26 followers 75 following 10 posts
Foreign Correspondent
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Reposted by Damien McElroy
thenationalnews.com
"Living in the UAE has been good for our daughters. Where else, I wonder, could 13-year-old girls feel confident and safe enough to take a taxi to and from a water park on their own," writes The National's Phil Johnson.
From tears after leaving Scotland to smiles in Abu Dhabi, my teens are thriving in UAE school life | The National
www.thenationalnews.com
August 30, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
aronlund.bsky.social
To my own surprise, I’m quoted in al-Arab and its sister publication, Arab Weekly. I have no idea what this is about. I have not spoken to either publication, and I don’t recognize the quote at all. Perhaps it’s an AI-written article?

alarab.co.uk/%D8%AD%D9%8A...

thearabweekly.com/syrias-break...
June 20, 2025 at 9:22 PM
damienmcelroy.bsky.social
Happy Veterans Day Germany. Or is it? www.thenationalnews.com/news/europe/...
Why Germany is at war with itself on the eve of its first military veterans day | The National
The government's push to expand its armed forces has provoked fears of mission creep among some
www.thenationalnews.com
June 15, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
pickardje.bsky.social
now *this* is the anecdote of the day
While many Chinese businesses are reeling from the trade war, Qi, the Maga merchandise maker, brushed off any suggestion his might suffer. Trump supporters, he said, were willing to pay any price for items bearing the image of their beloved president - and US suppliers were making such a huge profit on them that they could afford to partially absorb the tariff impact. A Trump baseball cap, for instance, cost only Rmb7.50 ($1) to produce. Tariffs might raise that cost to Rmb2o, but the caps were being sold for $50 in the US. "American sellers could even use the tariffs as an excuse to raise the price to $60 - yet the extra cost will still be borne by the US consumers, " said Qi.
April 12, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
thenationalnews.com
The EU is not fighting the Houthis and its mission in the Red Sea is "totally defensive", Admiral Vasileios Gryparis, commander of Operation Aspides, tells The National
We're not here to fight the Houthis, EU Red Sea commander says | The National
In recent days, the US Central Command has launched multiple strikes on the Yemeni rebels
www.thenationalnews.com
April 3, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
seamas.bsky.social
Caving to popular demand, I hereby present a PDF of the form for all to use. You may wish to improvise around its rather bespoke prompt for a 'favourite Minecraft Mob' but, hey, a lot of government forms can seem weirdly specific, so why not this one?

drive.google.com/file/d/1mZ09...
TOOTHFORM.pdf
drive.google.com
March 16, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
thenationalnews.com
The UK is wielding considerable influence in post-Assad Syria, through a combination of political connections, charity operations and a well-networked returning diaspora
Britain’s influence spreads through new Syria | The National
UK turns to low-key social and diplomatic links to quietly shape post-Assad transition
www.thenationalnews.com
February 19, 2025 at 7:34 PM
damienmcelroy.bsky.social
Syria’s landmine legacy is just horrific. apple.news/AHqEqkevCRDC...
How Syria's minefields jeopardise hope for a better life after war's end — The National
Witness Paul McCann sees his Halo Trust colleagues offer help to a displaced population returning to bombed-out homes on mine-strewn land
apple.news
January 31, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
channel4news.bsky.social
'We can breathe now and look ahead’, says Palestinian diplomat
www.channel4.com/news/we-can-...
We can breathe now and look ahead’, says Palestinian diplomat
We spoke to Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission to the UK.
www.channel4.com
January 15, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
mrosenbaum.bsky.social
Freedom of information in the UK is 20 years old today. It was on 1st Jan 2005 that the UK’s FOI laws came into force – giving all of us the legal right to obtain certain information from public authorities.
Long title of FOI Act
January 1, 2025 at 11:57 AM
damienmcelroy.bsky.social
Iran’s desperate scramble for weapons parts is a big part of the global dirty war. www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...
Iran's jailing of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has nothing to do with journalism | The National
The reporter, currently being held in Evin Prision, has been caught up in a wider world scramble for defence equipment
www.thenationalnews.com
December 31, 2024 at 5:17 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
abujamajem.com
SETF's Moustafa says Biden administration was complicit in Assad government "crimes," calls for administration to be held accountable; blames Brett McGurk specifically, and Biden for empowering him: www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/...
Biden, Obama complicit in Assad's crimes against humanity: Head of US-based Syrian advocacy group
‘It is a shame that both the Obama administration officials and the Biden administration officials will take to their grave their policy on Syria,’ says head of Syrian Emergency Task Force - Anadolu A...
www.aa.com.tr
December 29, 2024 at 11:35 AM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
robinmills.bsky.social
Sorry to hear that my old college Master, Professor Colin Renfrew, has passed away. Giant of archaeology & origins of Indo-European, modern art champion
www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/articles/pro...

@jesuscollegecam.bsky.social @cambridgeuni.bsky.social
Professor Lord Colin Renfrew (1937-2024)
It is with great sadness that the College notes the death of Professor Colin Renfrew, Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn.
www.jesus.cam.ac.uk
December 20, 2024 at 12:52 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
chrisblackhurst.bsky.social
www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...
M&S recovery bucks the UK High St trend | The National
Not just any turnaround: retailing 'supertanker' now appeals to mothers and their Gen Z daughters
www.thenationalnews.com
December 18, 2024 at 4:58 PM
damienmcelroy.bsky.social
What a pre-Trump hand of cards: South Korea, Japan, France, Germany plus Canada
thomasjuneau.bsky.social Thomas Juneau @thomasjuneau.bsky.social · Dec 16
Hard to think of a worst time for Canada not to have a stable government
December 16, 2024 at 9:54 PM
damienmcelroy.bsky.social
Very good read.
December 11, 2024 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
chrisblackhurst.bsky.social
www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...
Jaguar bets all on a doubled-up reinvention to take on BMW and Porsche | The National
The Type 00 is a statement vehicle that owes more to a Rolls-Royce Phantom or stretch limo than a practical motor for getting from A to B
www.thenationalnews.com
December 11, 2024 at 7:15 PM
damienmcelroy.bsky.social
In dancing terms when does the Syrian two-step become a line dance for Iran? t.co/VSSvNYOUQ2
https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/2024/12/10/as-iran-weakens-how-will-trump-deal-with-yemens-houthis/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1733809740
t.co
December 10, 2024 at 7:33 AM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
timbale.bsky.social
capx.co/x-vs-bluesky...
X vs Bluesky: The economics of the social media war
I have never been on Bluesky, but I already hate it. The fast growth of this new social media platform seems to be primarily driven by the most annoying and irritating characters on X. But that is als...
capx.co
December 3, 2024 at 10:14 AM
damienmcelroy.bsky.social
Irish government wins election after facing a big calls on Gaza. www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...
Ireland's Palestine stance was good electoral politics for its establishment parties | The National
Set for a return to power after Friday's election, the country's two main coalition partners have shrewdly managed an issue that strongly resonates with the Irish public
www.thenationalnews.com
December 3, 2024 at 6:21 AM
damienmcelroy.bsky.social
Starmer’s dilemma: deepening ties to Europe would be a cop-out on Trump and the Special Relationship. www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202... www.ft.com/content/88ad...
Starmer’s battle to preserve the special relationship under Trump
Britain’s long-standing alliance with America faces its biggest test yet
www.telegraph.co.uk
December 1, 2024 at 11:41 AM
damienmcelroy.bsky.social
When talking across the divide no longer exists as an option. www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2024...
'We do not understand each other': Faith leaders fall out over Israel-Gaza war | The National
Rome’s Patriarch of Jerusalem on the quest for common ground so interfaith dialogue continues during the war
www.thenationalnews.com
November 30, 2024 at 12:08 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
rhodri.biz
Anyway, he said that he and his partner now use the phrase "That's a Gregg Wallace hairnet if ever I saw one" or "That's a Gregg Wallace hairnet writ large" in reference to a rule that's enforced for the sake of it. Which I like very much.
November 28, 2024 at 7:13 PM
damienmcelroy.bsky.social
Russia’s war in Ukraine will continue to push European rearmament, whatever happens with ceasefire talks. www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...
The groundwork for a post-ceasefire Ukraine is being laid now | The National
Donald Trump will have to deal with a long-term scenario for the war's end, and Europe will have to adapt
www.thenationalnews.com
November 26, 2024 at 8:08 AM